The air in the Imperium boxing ring was thick with sweat, adrenaline, and the sound of fists meeting flesh. The private training space—reserved only for a select few—was dimly lit, the overhead lights casting harsh shadows against the polished concrete floors. It was the only place where Lucas and Lorenzo could knock the shit out of each other without consequence.

Lucas dodged a right hook, muscles coiled as he pivoted, countering with a sharp jab that barely missed Lorenzo’s jaw.

“Sloppy,” Lorenzo muttered, his voice even, barely winded.

Lucas smirked, rolling his shoulders before coming at him again. “Bite me.”

Lorenzo blocked effortlessly, his expression unreadable. “I’ll pass.”

This was routine. Necessary. A controlled release of aggression neither of them could afford to display in their real lives. The world saw them as untouchable, men of power and precision, but here? Here, they were just two bastards swinging fists at each other.

Lorenzo was heavier, stronger—but Lucas was faster.

Still, Lorenzo had the upper hand when he sent a well-placed body shot straight to Lucas’s ribs, forcing him to step back with a sharp exhale.

Lucas wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, irritation flickering across his face. He was distracted.

And Lorenzo, of course, fucking noticed.

"You’re unfocused," Lorenzo said, dropping his guard slightly. "Something on your mind?"

Lucas didn’t respond immediately. He pulled off his gloves, tossing them aside before grabbing a towel. “It’s nothing.”

Lorenzo let out a short, knowing laugh. “Bullshit.”

Lucas ignored him, stepping out of the ring and reaching for his water bottle. His mind was still on her—on that damn intern. And the worst part? He hadn’t even spoken to her.

Lorenzo studied him for a moment before grabbing his own towel. "If you’re thinking about it this much, it’s not nothing."

Lucas took a long sip of water before exhaling slowly. “It’s inconvenient.”

Lorenzo smirked. "Then I can’t wait to hear about it."

Lucas scowled, running a hand through his damp hair. He needed a drink.

Which was how they ended up in the private lounge minutes later, the conversation turning exactly where Lucas didn’t want it to go.